Mouthpiece.



L. STEINBERGER.

MOUTHHEGEL APPLICATION YAILEIJ AUG. 5. 1910.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT orr on;

LOUIS STEINBERG-ERQF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MOUTHPIECE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr-Q 4c, 1911.

Application filed August 6, 1910. Serial No. 575,896.

To all whm itimay concem:

Be it knownthat I, ,LOUISSTEINBERGEB, a

' citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kingsand State of New York, have invented! a new and Improved Mouthpiece, of which the following isa full, clear", and'exac't description.

My invention relates to mouthpieces, and especially to 'iiiouthpiecesof the kind used for telephones-and by the aid whereof sounds are to hethrown upon a diaphragm,

my more particular purpose being to improve the acoustical properties of the structure, and also to render the mouthpiece more sanitary. a

I also seek to improve-and strengthen the mouthpiece at its weakest points, and to otherwise improve its general efiiciency. My invention further contemplates giving to various parts of the mouthpiece suc curvature that the complete structure will have a minimum of abru tcorners, especially .in those portions 0 the mouthpiece which ordinarily face the operator; hence, it will be free from lodging places for bacteria and other disease germs, and may be cleansed readily when necessary or desirable.

' My invention further comprehends im.-

proved means for'strengthening the mouthpiece by applying upon the outer rim thereof a ring of metal, the inner and outer edges cent to this passage are a number of other passages arranged substantially in the formof this ring being bent toward each other and lodged against shoulders carried by the rim. "Vly invention still further contemplates use of the ring just mentioned, and particularly out of ,the manner in which the ring is mounted, and owing to the rounded corners of the interior of the mouthplece.

More particularly stated, my invention comprehends a mouthpiece provided with a massive bottom having perforations, these perforations being so shaped .as to direct the sound waves in a manner suitable for conserving the power and form of the sound waves and of causing them to produce a maximum eifect,

My invention further comprises a mouth piece having in its bottom a single central passage of frusto-conical form and adja- ,transm'itted withincreased fidelity,

certain sanitary features growing out of the ofa circle and each having substantially the form of acone frustum, the smaller end of the single central passage being adjacent to the larger ends of the surrounding passages, My purpose in thus-forming the mouthpiece, and particularlyin elongating the sound passages, isfirst, to convey the sound waves, as nearly as possible in their original form, to a point in very close proximity to the diaphragm, and to direct upon the center of the diaphragm a single column ofsoundwaves concentrated, as far as practicable, and localized relatively to the diaphragm in order to cause the diaphragm to vibrate with a maximum of amplitude at its center; and second, to bring to bear upon the diaphragm, not at its center, but at a plurality of points outside of its center and encircling the same, a number of distinct columns of sound waves, each acting like the column. of sound waves of a trumpet or horn, thus acting u on the diaphragm in a substantially di erent wayand tending to preserve intactv the overtones of the sound waves and communicating the same' faithfully to, the diaphragm. -By usin both the central passage and the -encircing passages, as described, I find that the sound waves are and moreover motive powerpf the sound waves as applied to the diaphragm is greatly in creased.

My invention further comprehends a mouthpiece that is practically indestructible, owing to the fact that the bottom threaded portion (which is usually offrail construction when made of insulating material), is formed of a solid mass of insulating material integral with the body portion of the mouth 'iece, hence is as strong as it can be possib y made; the sound conveying passages extending through the solid bottom of my improved mouthpiece are also of a novel formand of considerable length, and will greatly improve the acoustic properties of the structure.

Considering the structure as a whole, it

will be readily seen that I have produced a practically indestructible mouthpiece which at the same time possesses a number of other very desirablefeatures.

, The upper exposed peripheral edge of my improved mouthpiece .is provided with a strengthening extending portion integral provided with .the main body portion, which will practically obviate the chipping that usually j-takes place at that portion -of the mouthpiece, When desired or required, the strengthening extending portion may be still further strengthened 'by, mounting thereon a separate ring-like member made oi any suitable mater al. The application of the separate ring-like member also gives 'the mouthpiece a distinctive and ornamental appearance. f i

' I Reference is to be had to the accompanymg drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of ref rounded.

'At 5 is a metallic ring whichin its cross section has substantiallya C shape, as will be understood from Fig. 1. Theinner and outer edges of the riinlarie' lodged against shoulders 6, 7, so that the outer surface of the ring and the adjacent surface of the body portion 3 are flush with each other the mouthpiece and as the edges of the ring,

and the ag regate surface .thus formed is practically continuous. By this arrangement the ring fits closely in position upon form a neat joint with'the shoulders .6,

little, if any, room is left-for thelodgmentof bacteria, and the mouthpiece 'is therefore rendered-comparatively sanitary.

The body port-ion 3; is I thick,-massive bottom 9 an with a reduced,

' portion 8 threaded externally; rst montht tee a ots 10.

piece-is further provided wit which serve as air vents. "Adjacent to. the

reduced threaded portion 8 and bounding the same in one direction-is an annular shoulder-.11. The bottom, owingto its great thickness, extends above the shoulder 11, thus strengthenin the mouthpiece at what would ordmarily e its weakest point. By

' disposing the u per surface of the bottom above the-shoul er, the mass of material be-. tween the internal surface of the mouthpiece and portions of the shoulder closest to saidinternal surfaceis increased, thusrendering the mouthpiece practically 'md'estructible as against breakage, The bottom '9 is provided with a oentralpassage l2 having generally a frusto-conical form,

this passage beingso disposed that its end of largest diameter merges into the open specs within the body. portion 3. A number of other sound passages 13 are disposed 0f the soun witha rim integral with it and squarely against the diaphratgrbn.

rov1ded with a.

around the passage" 12 and substantially in the 'form eta-circle? Theo-passages 13 are each of frusto-eonical-form and are-"so ar} ranged thatthe portions of eatest diameter' f the passages 13 are acent' to the port onof smallestdiametei; o the passage 12. this arrangement the passages: 13 practically open outward-. that is, downward according horns or trumpets -At 14 is the transmitter, anddisposed centrally of the .same' is an annular portion Fig, 1, like so many 15 threaded internally mid' d to eeive the reduced threaded portion 8; The

transmitte'r diaphragm is shown at "1 6" and into very close proximity with it, as} will be understood. from Fig.' 1. Owing to theiact that the bottom 9 is very thick and-massive and that the face of this bottom is immediately adjacent-to; the dia hra is strictly parallel. with the there is no compartment, as in; the ordinary.

construction, to interfere with the sound,

.so lies in such osition that thef adjacent ends passages 12,13 "are brought waves. Thatis' tof'say, the sound waves s1mply follow the PFSSHIgBSlQ, 13 straight through'the bottom until they arrive at the diaphragm and are} given. but little chance for reflection or interference, being directed Theacoustical action "of a single Qcen hral passage 12 isconslderably ifierent .from that of the various passages 13. The. passage 12' 'aets'in a measure like the funnel or mouthpleeeof .sn fear trumpet, and conqfintrates a portion of the sound waves d1- loll reotly upon the center of tlie diaphra Each passage 13, however, acts somew at like a horn and causes thesound waves conveyed through it to .s -read out as -they would do in leaving'a 10m, and to strike,

concentration of sound waves at the center .of the diaphragm, and=seoond a scattering of, the sound waves in the manner well known in a horn, several different portions of tl'lQ'SOllIld waves thus scattered, however, playing upon a substantially circular. portion of the-diaphragm, this portion encircling. the central portion upon which the first-mentioned portion of the sound waves is concentrated. By this arrangement the sound waves as a whole are caused to produce' a maximum. effect. Both the volume and fidelity of the sound-waves are conserved and preserved, so that a maximum of power and accuracy of movement is conferred uponthe diaphragm. It is. queS tionable if all the acoustical principles underlying the action of a horn-for instance, a phonographic horn-are understood atthe present time. If the horn of a the-diaphragm which is immediately adja-- 'cent to them. Ithus produce two 'efl'ects, both playing. upon the diaphragm; first, a

phonograph be removed, other parts remaining intact, the machlne jmay play as before, but the sounds are exceedingly harsh and do not appear to have either the vitality or the volume which is present in case the horn be used.

In my improved mouthpiece the various sound passages 13, by acting in a measure like sojmanyhorns, seem to preserve the hit a-lig; f the so and; waves passing through tliein, and this all without loss of power;'

\vl'iereas, the single sound passage 12 ap-' pears to work upon a slightly. different prin-:

p iple-to wit, the concentration of power- \Vilttr: directly upon the center of the diaphragm, thereby tending to commun cate to the center of the diaphragm a maximum of power.

I do not limit myself to the particular form of any or all of the parts herein shown and described, nor to the exact combination shown; neither do I limit myself to employ in every instance sound passages of a' con cal formation, nor to any particular number of them;nor to .have 1n every instance r'oundmg corners at the points shown, nor to em ploy in every instance a separate ring-like member on the peripheral edge of-the mouth piece. Neither do I limit myself to the use of any prescribed materials. I prefer, however, to employ the material well known in this art as electrose.

Having thus described my invention, I-

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters.

Patent:

'1. A mouthpiece, comprising a body portion having an opening, a bottom bounding said opening, said bottom being provided with a central passage and with a plurality of other passages formed in a circular row j encircling said first-mentioned passage, each of the second-mentioned passages being of substantially frusto-conical form.

2. A mouth iece, com risin a hollow P P g body portion provided-with a bottom, said bottom having a central passage of substan tially frusto-conical form, and a plurality of other passages disposed substantially in the form of a circle around said first-mentioned passage, said secondmentioned' assages having each the formofa cone rustum, the various passages being so disposed that the portion of larger diameter'of said firstmentioned passage merges into the interior of said hollow body portion of.said mouth-' piece and-the portions of largest diameter said bottom.

of the other mouthpiece, comprisingi'a body portion having a large central opening, and also having a bottom boundi'n said opening, said bottom being provide with a plurality of sound passages each having-a substantially frusto-conical form, the end; of smallest diameter of one of said. passages passages extend outwardly from merging into the central opening, and the end of largest diameter of another of sald passages extending away from said opening.

4. A mouthpiece, comprising a body portion having a comparatively deep open ng, and also having a bottom bounding said opening,said bottom being provlded with a central passage of substantially frusto con1- cal form, said bottom v being further provided with a numberg of passages of sub-' stantially frusto conical form arranged in 'a circlej surrounding said, first-mentioned passage and communicating with said opening 5. A mouthpiece, comprising a body portion having a comparatively deep opening, and a bottom bounding said opening, said bottom having a reduced threaded portion to facilitate its mounting upon a transmitter or the like, said bottom'being provided with a plurality of sound passages, each having at one end of a large diameter and at its opposite end a smaller diameter, the ends of smaller diameter merging into said opening and the ends of larger diameterbe1ng'd1- rected away from said opening, sald bottom being further. provided with a single central sound passage disposed intermediate said'first-mentioned sound passages, and ex tending entirely through said bottom.

6. A mouthpiece, comprising a body por tion having a thick, massive bottom, said bottom being rovided with air passages of substantially rusto-conical form.

7. A mouthpiece, comprising a body portion having a large central opening of considerable depth, and a bottom bounding said opening, said bottom being shallow as compared with the depth of said opening, said bottom having a plurality of sound pas.

sages through it, said sound passages each haying the form of a cone frustum.

8. A mouthpiece, comprising a body portion having a bottom integral therewith,

said bottom having a surface disposed in the form of a plane, said bottom also havingsubstantially conical passages through it.

9. A mouthpiece, comprising a body member having a reduced portion integral with it and also having a thick massive bottom of such-shape as to form in connection-with the inner face of said body portion a curved surface in which abrupt bends are avoided.

10. A mouthpiece, comprising a body member provided with an-inner surface and with a flat bottom having a reduced portion, said inner surface merging intothe adjacent surface of said flat bottom by a gradual curve so as to avoid the use of abrupt corners.

'11. A mouthpiece, comprising a body member provided with an inner surface and further provided with a massive flat bottom, said inner surface of said mouthpiece 'mergmg into the adjacent surface of said flat bottom by a gradual curve to preventl lalb' the use of abrupt corners, seid bottom bein ,further provided with sound pessagesyan means for mounting said body p ort1on.

' 12. A mouthpiece, comprising a ho (1 member provided at each of its'ends with 'a stren henin portion inte" l with it,

. saidbo y mem er being furt er provided with sound passages whereby sound waves may be conveyedthrough it and also provided with means integral'wlthit for facilitating its mounting upon a snp'port.

. 'tom the thickness of which is greater, than the length of said reduced portion, .said

a. bot

'bottom thus urten'dinggmst said shoiilder,

said bottom being provi ed' with sound passages.

, 14. A mouthpiece,- comprising a thick massive bottom,- said bottom bein provided with air passages of substantia y frustoconical form, one of said passages having its endof lar est diameter disposed adja other passage.

cent to the en of smallest diameter of an- In testimony whereof I have -signedm'y name to this specificationin the presence or V v UIS ST INBERGEQT coples'of, this patent may be obtained top: five cents seen, by addressing the "commissioner oil-intents, i p Washington, D. 0 

